The office of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has issued a clarification on reports about his name popping up in files related to American sex offender and trafficker Jeffrey. Epstein. “We can confirm unequivocally that His Holiness has never met Jeffrey Epstein or authorized any meeting or contact with him on behalf of His Holiness,” said a press statement from the Dalai Lama’s office in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama stands for the national anthem during a ceremony celebrating the day he assumed political and spiritual leadership of Tibet 75 years ago in Dharamshala, India, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia) (AP)“Some recent media reports and social media posts are about thisThe Epstein File Attempting to associate the 14th Dalai Lama with Jeffrey Epstein,” the statement said in context.
China questions the legitimacy of several media outlets, including those controlled by the government Dalai Lama about his advocacy for Tibetan independence – said his name was mentioned “169 times” in the files.
However, it must be noted that references to thousands of emails, messages, and other files related to Epstein do not in themselves constitute wrongdoing. Many of these references in these files, released by the US Department of Justice under court order, are trivial and incidental in nature. Epstein, who died by suicide in prison in 2019, was convicted of serious sexual-assault charges and is accused of having affairs with top leaders, businessmen and diplomats.
Tibetan activists underlined that “Mention is not proof”No crime.
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“In the case of the Dalai Lama, none of the published material indicates illicit behavior, financial exchanges, or personal misconduct. The references are primarily to public events, academic initiatives, or talks by third parties, often written by Epstein himself or intermediaries seeking prestige or access,” wrote the Tibet Rights Collective, a Delhi-based advocacy and policy research group. website.
“It is important to distinguish between referring to someone else’s email and actively participating in or approving that person’s actions. The Epstein files—millions of pages of emails, contact lists, schedules, and third-party correspondence—include references to hundreds of prominent figures, prominent figures in politics, society, and society. The individuals mentioned have not been charged with any crime, nor does the inclusion of these documents imply complicity,” it added.
“Importantly, there is no evidence that the Dalai Lama maintained a personal relationship with Epstein, received funds from him or was aware of his criminal activities, many of which became public years later,” it added.
It noted that “the timing and tone of the renewed scrutiny also warrants attention” as it “coincides with a moment of renewed global visibility for the Dalai Lama,
